Your Logo Should Feel Like A Religion
A logo is not a graphic. It’s a rallying point. I treat it like a symbol people can believe in, not just recognize. That’s the standard that separates forgettable marks from icons.
My take is simple: your logo should work like a religious symbol—clear, bold, and loaded with meaning you build over time. If it can’t carry your story, your values, and your promise, it’s just decoration. And decoration doesn’t move hearts or markets.
The Core Idea
Symbols carry weight when they are simple, repeatable, and consistent. That’s how people attach emotion to them. Consistency creates meaning. Over time, the symbol becomes shorthand for everything you stand for—quality, trust, ambition, community.
“I like to think of [a logo] as sort of a religious symbol… what is something that can really stand for everything behind it?”
— Erik Huberman
I want people to see a mark and feel the story. A great logo should snap into their minds fast. It should be so clear that anyone can redraw it from memory. That’s not a design trick. That’s how you build attachment at scale.
The Rules I Live By
When I guide a brand through this, I lean on a few strict filters. These are practical, not precious.
- Easy to articulate: You should explain it in one sentence.
- Easy to draw: If a customer can sketch it, it sticks.
- Easy to tattoo: If someone loves it enough to wear it, you nailed it.
- Ownable and simple: No clutter. One idea. High contrast.
- Scales cleanly: Works tiny on a phone and huge on a wall.
These rules force clarity. They also make consistency possible, which is how meaning compounds. The more people see the same symbol, the more they feel attached to it.
“As you build your brand… you wanna build a symbol that really stands for that… so that when people see that logo, all the emotions… come to life.”
— Erik Huberman
Make It A Flag People Rally Behind
A logo is not just for customers. It’s for your team. If your employees won’t get behind your mark, the market won’t either. You want a symbol they wear with pride, share without being asked, and defend in the wild.
“Something that both your own employees as well as all your customers can get behind.”
— Erik Huberman
That pride shows up in small ways—hats, stickers, Slack icons—and in big ways—events, product launches, partnerships. The symbol anchors it all.
But Aren’t Complex Logos Memorable?
People point to intricate logos that became famous. The truth is, the fame came from years of consistent use and massive exposure, not the detail. Complexity doesn’t create emotion—repetition does. If your brand isn’t everywhere yet, don’t hide behind complexity. Choose clarity.
How To Pressure-Test Your Logo Fast
Run simple tests before you fall in love with a mark. If it fails any of these, it’s not ready.
- Describe it in five words or less.
- Draw it from memory after a 5-second glance.
- Shrink it to 16px and check legibility.
- Print it in black and white. Does it still work?
- Ask three customers and three employees how it makes them feel.
These tests expose whether it’s a true symbol or just nice art. You want the former.
The Bottom Line
Your logo should carry your brand’s soul in a few strokes. Keep it simple. Make it repeatable. Use it without fail. Over time, it will stand for everything you deliver. That’s how symbols gain power—through clear design and relentless consistency.
If you’re reworking your mark now, pick one rule above and apply it today. Tighten the shape. Strip a detail. Lock in usage. Then commit. The market remembers what you repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why compare a logo to a religious symbol?
Because symbols carry emotion through repetition and clarity. A strong logo does the same—people see it and instantly feel what the brand stands for.
Q: How simple is too simple for a logo?
If it loses distinctiveness, it’s too simple. Aim for one strong idea, clear forms, and something memorable enough to draw from memory.
Q: Do I need a symbol, or is a wordmark enough?
A wordmark can work if it’s bold, consistent, and legible at small sizes. Over time, even letters can become a symbol if people see them often.
Q: What’s the fastest way to test a new logo?
Show it for five seconds, hide it, and ask people to sketch it. Then check how they describe it. If it’s hard to recall or explain, it’s not clear enough.
Q: How do I get my team excited about the logo?
Share the story behind it, use it everywhere, and invite feedback early. When people help shape it, they’re more likely to wear it and champion it.
